


THE CORNELL UNIVERSITY 

•fVU 

KU 

FIRST GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENT. 



SECOND EDITION, 



WITH ADDITIONS. 



[ Please circulate this among persons interested in Education.'] 



ALBANY : 

WEED, PARSONS AND COMPANY, PRINTERS. 

1SG8. 






CORNELL UNIVERSITY 

AT ITHACA, N. Y. 



FIRST GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENT. 



TEUSTEES. 

*His Excellency, REUBEN E. FENTON, Governor. 

*His Honor STEWART L. WOODFORD, Lieutenant-Governor. . 

*Hon. WILLIAM HITCHMAN, Speaker. 

*Hon. THOMAS H. FAILE, President State Agricultural Society 

*Hon. VICTOR M. RICE, Superintendent of Public Instruction. 

•-Hon. EZRA CORNELL, Chairman of Board of Trustees. 

*Hon. ANDREW D. WHITE, President of the University. 

*FRANCIS M. FINCH, Esq., Librarian Cornell Public Library. 

*ALONZO B. CORNELL, Esq., Ithaca. 

Hon. HORACE GREELEY, New Yore:. 

Hon. EDWIN D. MORGAN, New York. 

Hon. ERASTUS BROOKS, New York. 

Hon. WILLIAM KELLY, Rhinebeck. 

Gen. J. MEREDITH READ, Albany. 

Hon. GEORGE H. ANDREWS, Springfield, Otsego Co. 

Hon. ABRAM B. WEAVER, Deerfield, Oneida Co. 

Hon. CHARLES J. FOLGER, Geneva. 

Hon. EDWIN B. MORGAN, Aurora. 

Hon. JOHN M. PARKER, Owego. 

HIRAM SIBLEY, Esq., Rochester. 

Hon. JOSIAH B. WILLIAMS, Ithaca. 

Hon. GEORGE W. SCHUYLER, Ithaca, Treas.ofthe University, 

WILLIAM ANDRUS, Esq., Ithaca. 

JOHN McGRAW, Esq., Ithaca. 

* Teitstees Ex Officio. 



FACULTY. 



RESIDENT PROFESSORS. 
HON. ANDREW D. WHITE, LL. D., 

PRESIDENT AND PROF. OF HISTORY. 

EVAN W. EVANS, M. A., 

PROF. OF MATHEMATICS. 

WILLIAM CHANNING RUSSELL, M. A., 

PBOF. OF SOUTH EUROPEAN LANGUAGES AND ASSOCIATE PROF. OF HISTORY. 

ELI WHITNEY BLAKE, M. A., PH. D., 

PROF. OF PHYSICS AND INDUSTRIAL MECHANICS. 

GEORGE C. CALDWELL, M. S., PH. D., 

PROF. OF AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY. 

JAMES M. CRAFTS, M. S., PH. D., 

PROF. OF GENERAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY. 

BURT G. WILDER, M. D., 

PROF. OF COMPARATIVE ANATOMY AND NATURAL HISTORY. 

JOSEPH HARRIS, 

PROF. OF PRACTICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL AGRICULTURE. 

Major JOSEPH H. WHITTLESEY (U. S. Army), 

PROF. OF MILITARY SCIENCE. 

LEBBEUS H. MITCHELL, B. A., PH. D., 

PROF. OF MINING AND METALLURGY. 

DANIEL WILLARD FISKE, M. A., PH. D., 

PROF. OF NORTH EUROPEAN LANGUAGES AND LIBRARIAN. 



The following are to be elected in July and September. 



PROF. OF MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL PHILOSOPHY. 



PROF. OF GENERAL, ECONOMIC AND AGRICULTURAL GEOLOGY. 



PROF. OF CIVIL ENGINEERING. 



TROF. OF ANCIENT LANGUAGES. 



FACULTY. 



PROF. OF BOTANY, HORTICULTURE AND ARBORICULTURE. 



PROF. OF RHETORIC, ORATORY AND YOCAL CULTURE 



NON-RESIDENT PROFESSORS AND LECTURERS. 
LOUIS AGASSIZ, LL. D., 

PROF. OF NATURAL HISTORY (20 Lectures). 

Hon. FREDERICK HOLBROOK, LL. D., 

PROF. OF MECHANICS APPLIED TO AGRICULTURE (12 Lectures) 

JAMES HALL, LL. D., 

PROF. OF GENERAL GEOLOGY (12 Lectures). 

JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL, M. A., 

PROF. OF ENGLISH LITERATURE (12 Lectures). 

Hon. GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS, M. A., 

PROF. OF RECENT LITERATURE (12 Lecture?). 

Hon. THEODORE W. DWIGHT, LL. D. 

PROF. OF CONSTITUTIONAL LAW AND LECTURER ON THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED 

states (12 Lectures). 



The following are to be elected at an early day. 



PROF. OF POLITICAL ECONOMY. 



PROF. OF RURAL ECONOMY AND ARCHITECTURE. 



PROF. OF AMERICAN HISTORY. 



PROF. OF VETERINARY SURGERY AND BREEDING OF ANIMALS. 



PROF. OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY AND LECTURER ON INSECTS INJURIOUS TO VEGETATION. 



CORNELL UNIVERSITY 



FIEST GENEKAL ANNOUNCEMENT. 



The first term of the Cornell University, at Ithaca, N. Y., 
will open on the last Wednesday in September, 1868, with the 
inauguration of the President and Professors. 

The examination of candidates for admission will be con- 
ducted by the Professors elect in the several departments, on 
the Monday and Tuesday preceding. 

Though students can be received at a later period, it is 
greatly desired that they appear on Monday and Tuesday as 
above. 

The organization of Divisions, Departments, Courses and 
Classes will immediately follow the inauguration exercises, and 
there will be no delay in the commencement of instruction. 

All instruction at the University will be comprehended 
under two Divisions. 

I. The Division of Special Sciences and Arts. 

II. The Division of Science, Literature, and the Arts in 

GENERAL. 

Departments and Courses, in these two Divisions, will be 
organized as follows : 

I. DIVISION OF SPECIAL SCIENCES AND AKTS. 

1. The Department of Agriculture. 

The Mechanic Arts. 

Civil Engineering. 

Military Engineering and Tactics. 

Mining and Practical Geology. 

History, Social and Political Science. 



2. 


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k) THE CORNELL UNIVERSITY. 

In all the instruction in these Departments a constant effort 
will be made to educate men to speedily become practically 
useful in developing the resources and in aiding in the general 
progress of the country. 

In the DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, science and 
practice will go together, not to rear a body of amateur agri- 
culturists, but to bring scientific methods to bear in ordinary 
agriculture, so that, tried by an economic test, the result shall be 
to advance the prosperity of the country. Special attention 
will be given to the education of young men, ambitious to 
become instructors and professors in the numerous agricultural 
colleges now rising in nearly all the States of the Union. 

In the DEPARTMENT OF THE « MECHANIC ARTS," 
science will also be applied to practice, fitting men to take 
positions of influence and usefulness, in developing the manu- 
facturing and mechanical resources and interests of the country. 
Special attention will be paid to the practical education of 
those who wish to take charge of manufactories and work-shops 
of various sorts. 

In the DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING the 
same idea of making thoroughly scientific men for speedy prac- 
tical use will be carried out. 

The DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY ENGINEERING 
AND TACTICS is placed under the supervision of graduates 
of the National Academy at West Point. 

The DEPARTMENT OF MINING AND PRACTICAL 
GEOLOGY has for its aim the fitting of men to develop the 
vast mineral resources of the nation. When it is considered 
what immense losses have been incurred under the manage- 
ment of unscientific or half-scientific men, the importance of 
this Department will be recognized. Situated, as the Univer- 
sity is, near one of the greatest mining districts of the United 
States, it presents special attractions to all students desiring 
real preparation for work of the kind contemplated. 

In the DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY, SOCIAL AND 
POLITICAL SCIENCE, the need of the country for a higher 
and more thorough education for the public service, will be 



THE CORNELL UNIVERSITY. 7 

constantly kept in view. Principles, as thought out by Econo- 
mists, Statesmen and Historians, will be constantly applied to 
what has been actually wrought out in society. The trustees 
will endeavor, in questions of Political Economy, upon which 
good and able men differ, to have both sides ably presented and 
discussed. No attempt will be made, however, to proselyte 
students to any peculiar or partisan views. 

II. DIVISION OF SCIENCE, LITEEATUEE, AND THE 
AETS IN GENEEAL. 

1. First General Course, or " Modern Course." 

This will extend through four years. To Modern Languages, 
which have become so indispensable in a good education, 
will be mainly assigned the place and labor usually given to 
Ancient Languages. The course will be suited to the needs of 
students, so far as possible, by the allowance of options between 
studies in the latter years of the course, on a plan somewhat 
similar to that lately adopted at Harvard University. 

2. " Modern Course Abridged." 

This course will extend through three years. This, as well 
as the abridged courses which follow, are intended to meet the 
needs of those students who have not time for a full general 
course. It will give the main studies of the extended course, 
the subordinate studies being omitted so as to decrease the time 
one year. 

3. Second General Course, or " Combined Course." 

This course will extend through four years. In this the lan- 
guages studied will be Latin and German, the remainder of the 
course being essentially the same as the " General Course." To 
those who wish to make a thorough study of Modern Languages 
this course will be valuable, as combining the most useful parts, 
practically, of the courses usually pursued in Colleges, with a 
broader course ; giving the two sides of all the great Modern 
Languages and literatures, including our own, and aiding the 



8 THE CORNELL UNIVERSITY. 

scientific student greatly in the literature and nomenclature of 
science. 

4. " Combined Course Abridged." 

This wiil extend through three years. Its name explains its 
character. 

5. Third General Course, or " Classical Course." 

This will be mainly like the "First General Course," with 
the option of Ancient Languages for Modern. "While making 
full provision, in other courses, for Scientific instruction, full 
attention will be given, in this course, to Classical instruction. 
The aim will constantly be to provide a Classical Course, as 
full and thorough as that of any College in the land — to make, 
not smatterers, but sound classical scholars ; to strengthen the 
student, by giving him an insight into the great thoughts of 
great thinkers — not to burden his mind with scraps of doubtful 
philosophy and second-hand pedantry. 

6. " Scientific Course." 
This will extend through three years, affording a general 
scientific preparation for either of the first four departments in 
the " First Division," as named above. A special effort will be 
made to bring this department fully up to the needs of the 
times, both by the course adopted and by the professors elected 
to maintain it. 

7. Scientific Course Abridged. 

This will extend through two years. Its name explains its 
character. 

8. Optional Course. 

This is similar to that allowed American students in the 
greater German Universities; also like the " Select Course" at 
the University of Michigan ; and which, in both cases, has been 
very successful. In this course the student, on consultation 
with friends and the appropriate instructors, selects any three 
studies for Avhich he may be fitted, from the whole range of 
studies pursued in the entire University, follows them up to 



THE CORNELL UNIVERSITY. 9 

such a point as may be agreed upon, and receives, from the 
Governing Board of the University, at the completion of his 
work, a certificate, showing the extent of the course he has 
taken. 

9. Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates. 

Appropriate degrees, attested by diplomas or certificates, w T ill 
be conferred upon all students passing satisfactorily through 
any of the above named departments or courses. But it is 
thoroughly to be understood that no distinction will be made 
between the courses extending through four years, as to the 
name, character or value of the degree or diploma, and the 
trustees pledge themselves to. use every effort to prevent any 
caste-spirit in any department or course as compared with 
another. It is intended to confer the degree of A. B. (Bachelor 
of Arts) on all students w T ho shall have satisfactorily passed 
either of the above courses, requiring four years of study. 
It is intended to confer the degree of B. S. (Bachelor of Science) 
on all students passing through the " Scientific Course" (No. 6), 
requiring three years of study. 

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION. 

General Requirements. 

All candidates for admission to any department or course 
•must present satisfactory evidences of good moral character. 

All candidates for admission to any of the special depart- 
ments in the "First Division " must be at least sixteen years 
of age. All candidates for admission to any of the courses of 
the " Second Division " must be at least fifteen years of age. 

Candidates for advanced standing will be examined in the 
previous studies of the course which they purpose to enter, and 
if they come from another College or University will present 
certificates of honorable dismission. 

Entering the University will be considered a pledge to obey 
its rules and regulations. 

Candidates for admission to any department or course must 
have received a good common English education, and be 
2 



10 THE CORNELL UNIVERSITY. 

morally, mentally and physically qualified to pursue to advan- 
tage the course of study to which they purpose to give their 
attention. * 

Special Requirements. 

1. In the Department of Civil Engineering and Archi- 
tecture, Military Engineering and Tactics, and Mining and 
Practical Geology. In addition to the general requirements, 
candidates will be examined in the whole of Elementary and 
Plane Geometry. 

2. For the " Combined Course " in the Second Division, in 
which Latin is taken as an optional study in place of one of 
the Modern Languages, in addition to the general require- 
ments the candidate will be examined in Csesar's Commen- 
taries, Cicero's Select Orations, six books of the iEneid and 
forty-five exercises in Arnold's Prose Composition, or in a 
course equivalent to this. 

3. For the " Third General Course," or " Classical 
Course," an examination will be made similar to that for enter- 
ing the first year at the existing Colleges of a good grade. 

Of Candidates Imperfectly Prepared. 

For candidates found to be of good mental quality, but 
defective in preparation, provision will be made for special pre- 
paratory instruction in a department separate and distinct, but. 
under the control and direction of the University Faculty, 
until such students are fully competent to enter the University. 
Students intending to enter are urged to give their main atten- 
tion, from the time of receiving this circular, to strengthening 
themselves in a" sound, ordinary English education;" such 
as can be obtained in every good public school or academy. 
Let their efforts be laid out in perfecting themselves in the 
following course : 

In English Grammar, the general practical principles, with 
the strictest attention to exercises in Orthography. In En- 

* The same qualifications as those named for the Lawrence Scientific School at Cam- 
bridge. 



THE CORNELL UNIVERSITY. 11 

glish composition each applicant should take pains to cultivate 
skill and facility. To this end frequent and brief essays and 
impromptu compositions, oral and written, are recommended. 
In Geography, the leading facts of General Geography, with 
special attention to the Geography of Europe and America, to 
be learned, not by " parroting " from text books, but by com- 
mon-sense study of any atlas, taking one map after another, 
fastening into the mind the leading, physical and political 
features in the Geography of each continent and of each 
country, and finally grouping them mentally together. To 
this end map drawing will be found of the greatest use. Three 
weeks' study, in this way, will do more than " three years' " 
study after the ordinary method. In Arithmetic, attention 
should be especially directed to fundamental principles. These 
should be clearly apprehended, and fairly fixed in the student's 
mind. In view of the course to be pursued in the University, 
too much importance cannot be given to a thorough prelimi- 
nary drill in Mental Arithmetic. 

Good health, good habits, and a good thorough education in 
the common English branches, are then the simple requirements 
for admission. Every failure in institutions for higher educa- 
tion may be traced to a defect in one of these respects. On 
these, as a basis, the University pledges itself to build a good 

superstructure. 

Fees for Tuition. 

The fees for tuition to persons not exempt under the charter 
as " State Students," are ten dollars for each term, or thirty 
dollars for the year. Neither matriculation fees nor initiation 
fees are required. 

In special cases of students of decided merit, who are proven 
to be in great need, a remission will be made, either wholly or 
in part, of tuition fees, such remission being considered as a 
loan, the student giving a note or promise to pay them so soon 
as he shall become able after leaving the University. En all 
other cases payment for each term must be made in advance. 
Students will be held responsible for any injury which may be 
done by them to the University property. 



12 the cornell university. 

Payments for Materials used in Laboratory Practice. 

Chemicals and other materials used in laboratory practice 
will be charged to the student using them at actual cost price. 

" State Students." 

In the original act of incorporation of the University is the 
following section : 

" § 9. The several departments of study in the said Univer- 
sity shall be open to applicants for admission thereto at the 
lowest rates of expense consistent with its welfare and effi- 
ciency, and without distinction as to rank, class, previous 
occupation or locality. But, with a view to equalize its advan- 
tages to all parts of the State, the institution shall annually 
receive students, one from each Assembly District in the State, 
to be selected as hereinafter provided, and shall give them 
instruction in any or in all the prescribed branches of study in 
any department of said institution, free of any tuition fee, or 
of any incidental charges, to be paid to said University, unless 
such incidental charges shall have been made to compensate 
for damages needlessly or purposely done by the students to 
the property of said University. The said free instruction shall 
moreover be accorded to said students in consideration of their 
superior ability, and as a reward for superior scholarship in the 
academies and public schools of this State. Said students shall 
be selected as the Legislature may, from time to time, direct, 
and until otherwise ordered, as follows : The School Commis- 
sioner or Commissioners of each county, and the Board of 
Education of each city, or those performing the duties of such 
a board, shall select annually the best scholar from each acad- 
emy and each public school of their respective counties or 
cities as candidates for the University scholarship. The candi- 
dates thus selected in each county or city shall meet at such 
time and place in the year as the Board of Supervisors of the 
county shall appoint, to be examined by a board consisting of 
the School Commissioner or Commissioners of the county, or 
by the said Board of Education of the cities, with such other 
persons as the Supervisors shall appoint, who shall examine 
said candidates and determine which of them are the best 
scholars ; and the Board of Supervisors shall then select there- 
from to the number of one for each assembly district in said 
county or city, and furnish the candidates thus selected with a 
certificate of such selection, which certificate shall entitle said 
student to admission to said University, subject to the examina- 



THE CORNELL UNIVERSITY. 13 

tion and approval of the Faculty of said University. In 
making these selections, preference shall be given (where other 
qualifications are equal) to the sons of those who have died in 
the military or naval service of the United States ; considera- 
tion shall be had also of the physical ability of the candidate. 
Whenever any student selected as above described shall have 
been, from any cause, removed from the University before the 
expiration of the time for which he was selected, then one of 
.the competitors to his place in the University from his district 
may be elected to succeed him therein, as the School Commis- 
sioner or Commissioners of the county of his residence, or the 
Board of Education of the city of his residence, may direct." 

Under this the Superintendent of Public Instruction will, at 
an early day, issue a circular defining the duties of School 
Commissioners regarding the examinations under this act, and 
making suggestions as to the best manner of conducting them. 

All students presenting themselves at the University with a 
certificate, such as is contemplated in the section above cited, 
showing that after an examination he has been adjudged the 
"best scholar," will be admitted to any department or course 
for which he is fitted, and continue for four years, or as long 
as he shall profitably employ his time in the University, free 
of all matriculation fees, term taxes, or any other payment for 
tuition. 

Rooms. 

Suites of rooms will be provided, in the College buildings 
and near the grounds, sufficient for the accommodation of 
about two hundred students. Each suite in the buildings con- 
sists of a study with bedrooms and closets adjoining. They 
are large and convenient, with careful provision for heat and 
ventilation, and no study or bedroom has been or will be con- 
structed without direct communication with the outer light 
and air. 

It is intended, at the expense of the University to provide 
neat and durable furniture. The rent of rooms and furniture 
will range from sixty cents to one dollar per week, according 
to the occupation of the suite of rooms by two students or by 
three. Rooms can also be obtained, at reasonable rates, with 
families in the town. 



14: the cornell university. 

Board. 

Board can be obtained in the village at moderate rates. 
Probably good board could be secured, at a lower price, by the 
formation of clubs among the students. The University stew- 
ard will be authorized, in such case, to aid clubs, by the pur- 
chase of stores for them at wholesale, and by securing rooms. 

Fuel. 
The direct communication with the neighboring coal mines 
gives advantages in this respect. The University steward will 
purchase coal at wholesale, and retail it to students at whole- 
sale prices. 

OFFICEKS AND EQUIPMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY. 

Faculty. 
A resident Faculty will be in readiness, which, it is believed, 
will command the confidence of all friends of advanced and 
extended education. In addition to these, it is intended to 
secure, as non-resident professors, a number of gentlemen 
especially distinguished to deliver courses of lectures in their 
several departments. Several gentlemen of acknowledged 
eminence in science, literature and the practical arts, have 
already signified their willingness to accept such positions, and 
it is intended to announce the names of the Faculty, resident 
and non-resident, through the public prints, early in the summer 
of 1868. The system recommended by the President in his 
"Plan of Organization," has been adopted, which is to " secure 
for the resident professorships, for the hard work of building 
up the University, active, energetic young men who have a 
reputation to make and who can make it; and for the non- 
resident professors, men of the highest reputation, who will at 
once elevate the whole tone of instruction and give us from the 
outset a position which could not be attained in any other 
manner." 

Buildings. 

Two large stone buildings, four stories in height, have 
already been erected ; another of the same character is in prog- 



THE CORNELL UNIVERSITY. 15 

ress. In these, besides dormitories for over three hundred 
students, are library, lecture and recitation rooms, over thirty 
in number, and of various sizes. 

Laboratories. 
There will be two laboratories well equipped, one under the 
direction of the professor of agricultural chemistry, and the 
other under the professor of general chemistry. 

Collections. 
The University already possesses the Jewett collection in 
Palaeontology and Geology, at a cost of ten thousand dollars, 
and has received a donation from the State of a collection of 
duplicates from the State geological collection, and has funds 
now in hand to make large additional collections for illustration 
in the different departments. 

Libraries. 
The trustees feel warranted in stating that the University 
will commence with a scientific and general library sufficient 
for the immediate wants of Faculty and Students, and constant 
appropriations will be made for its increase. 

Student Labor and Practical Instruction in Agriculture. 

There is much labor to be done upon the farm attached to 
the Agricultural department, and a large number of students 
can be employed from one to three hours a day, at fair prices. 
Shortly after the organization of the University, the University 
steward will organize voluntary corps for systematized and 
remunerated labor, under the direction of the Professors of 
Agriculture and Engineering. 



Student Labor and Practical Instruction ln the 
Mechanic Arts. 

It is intended to erect workshops upon the University prop- 
erty where students, under proper direction, can have practical 
instruction in Mechanic Arts. The first of these will be a 



16 THE CORNELL UNIVERSITY. 

workshop fitted with the proper machinery for working in 
wood and iron, in which students can labor at fair prices 
upon agricultural implements and machinery in general, and 
upon models for the University collections of machinery and 
apparatus. 

Accomplished artisans will superintend this work, and the 
attention of those young men who would qualify themselves, 
by scientific study, for the most responsible and remunerative 
positions as master mechanics and superintendents of work- 
shops, is invited to this feature in the course of practical 
instruction. 

Prizes. 

The following prizes are offered by the Founder of the Uni- 
versity to aid meritorious students : 

To the student of the Yolunteer labor Corps in Agricul- 
ture, who, without neglecting his other University 
duties, shall have shown himself most efficient, 
practically and scientifically, upon the University 

farm, $50 00 

To the second in merit, : . . 20 00 

To the third in merit, 10 00 

To the student of the Yolunteer labor Corps in the 
Mechanic Arts, who, without neglecting his other 
University duties, shall have shown himself most 
efficient, practically and scientifically, in the Uni- 
versity workshops, 50 00 

To the second in merit, 20 00 

To the third in merit, 10 00 

The above shall be known as the " Founder's prizes." 

The following prizes are offered by the President of the 
University to aid meritorious students : 

To the student showing the most satisfactory progress 

in the " Modern Course " during the first year, . . . $50 00 
To the second in merit, 20 00 



THE CORNELL UNIVERSITY. 17 

To the student showing the most satisfactory progress 

in the " Combined Course " during the first year, . $50 00 

To the second in merit, 20 00 

To the student showing the most satisfactory progress 

in the " Classical Course " during the first year, ... 50 00 

To the second in merit, 20 00 

To the most meritorious student in General and An- 
alytical Chemistry, 50 00 

To the second in merit, 20 00 

To the most meritorious student in Chemistry as ap- 
plied to Agriculture, 50 00 

To the second in merit, 20 00 

To the most meritorious student in Practical Mechanics 

and Physics, 50 00 

To the second in merit, 20 00 

To the most meritorious student in Civil Engineering, 50 00 

To the second in merit, 20 00 

To the most meritorious student in General History, . . 50 00 

To the second in merit, 20 00 

To the most meritorious student in Modern History, . . 50 00 

To the second in merit, 20 00 

To the most meritorious student in Botany, 50 00 

To the second in merit, 20 00 

To the most meritorious Report or Thesis upon an 

original investigation in Agriculture, 50 00 

To the second in merit, 20 00 

To the most meritorious Report or Thesis upon an 

original investigation in Geology, 50 00 

To the second in merit, 20 00 

To the writer of the best English Essay, 50 00 

To the second in merit, 20 00 

To the third in merit, 10 00 

To the student who, without neglecting his other duties 
as a member of the University, shall make the 

most satisfactory development in physical culture, 50 00 

To the second in merit, 20 00 

To the third in merit, 10 00 

3 



18 THE CORNELL UNIVERSITY. 

The committees of examination reserve the right to withhold 
a prize where the competition shows a standard not sufficiently 
elevated. 

The above shall be known as the "President's prizes." 

ORIGIN OF THE UMYEPSITY. 

The establishment of the Cornell University is due to the 
combined bounty of the General Government and of the Hon. 
Ezra Cornell. 

On the second of July, 1862, Congress passed an act grant- 
ing public lands to the several States and Territories which 
may provide Colleges for the benefit of Agriculture and the 
Mechanic Arts. 

Under this act thirty thousand acres for each of its Sena- 
tors and Representatives in Congress were appropriated to each 
State, and under this provision the share of the State of New 
York was in land scrip representing 990,000 acres. 

From the first, the State of New York determined to cease 
the policy of scattering its educational resources, and to con- 
centrate this fund in a single institution worthy so great a 
Commonwealth. 

Common sense, with the very signal failure of the State 
of Michigan in scattering such a fund, and her great success 
after concentrating it were conclusive in favor of such a 
policy. 

Acting upon this idea, the State first appropriated the entire 
amount of land scrip to the People's College upon certain very 
easy conditions. These conditions not being complied with, 
the Legislature, by chapter 585, of the Laws of 1865, following 
the same policy of concentration, against much opposition and 
many attempts to scatter the fund, re-affirmed its old decision 
to concentrate the fund, by overwhelming majorities in each 
house, and gave the proceeds of the entire amount of scrip to 
the Cornell University on certain conditions, of which the most 
important were, that Ezra Cornell should give to the Institu- 
tion five hundred thousand dollars, and that one student should 
annually be received and educated, free of all charge for tuition, 



THE CORNELL UNIVERSITY. 19 

from each of the one hundred and twenty-eight Assembly Dis- 
tricts of the State, as a reward of merit for superior scholarship 
in the public schools or academies. Such student to be desig- 
nated by a competitive examination, to be conducted on a plan 
laid down in the act. 

At the first meeting of the trustees thereafter, Mr. Cornell 
complied with the conditions of the charter by a gift of five 
hundred thousand dollars in due form. He then made the 
additional gift of two hundred acres of excellent land, with 
buildings, as a farm to be attached to the Agricultural Depart- 
ment ; the Jewett collection in Geology and Palaeontology, 
which had cost him ten thousand dollars, and since that time 
other gifts to the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars. 

Besides this, Mr. Cornell has expended about three hundred 
thousand dollars in purchasing the land scrip and locating the 
lands for the University, and it is proper to state here, that, 
previous to all these gifts, he had erected in the village of 
Ithaca, at a cost of nearly one hundred thousand dollars, a 
free public library with large halls, and with lecture rooms 
which will be exceedingly useful as affording supplementary 
accommodations for the lectures and public exercises of the 
University. Thus laying the foundation for a sure and a large 
endowment, sufficient to enable the trustees to tender, as soon 
as the fund shall suffice, free board as well as instruction to the 
State Students. 

Relations of the University to the State. 
The act organizing the Cornell University makes it an 
organic part of the educational system of the State. The 
Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Secretary of State, Superin- 
tendent of Public Instruction and Speaker of the House of 
Assembly are ex officio trustees. The President of the State 
Agricultural Society is also ex officio a member of the board. 
It may be mentioned here, that the Board of Trustees are not 
a body sitting for life, but that they are constantly renewed, 
the term of office being five years ; three being selected every 
year — one of them by the Alumni whenever they shall number 



20 THE CORNELL UNIVERSITY. 

fifty. This, it is hoped, will do much to insure vigor and 
prevent the stagnation from which so many institutions of 
learning have suffered. 

Scope of the University. 

The special department referred to above will be developed 
conscientiously and as thoroughly as possible. The prominence 
plainly given the first two by the Act of Congress will be loy- 
ally remembered. It must also be constantly recollected that 
education is here to be made, not only scientific, but practical. 
Military education will also be provided for. Moreover, the 
trustees are also pledged to try fully and fairly the experiment 
of allowing students in appropriate departments to do some- 
thing toward paying their way by organized manual labor, 
under scientific direction. This, however, will be voluntary, 
as the freedom of our University demands. 

But beside these special departments, the trustees provide, 
in accordance with the clearly expressed intent of the Congres- 
sional act, general instruction. Mr. Cornell's gift is made in 
order to round the whole institution into the proportions of an 
University worthy of the State. He expressed plainly and 
tersely the whole University theory when he said, " I would 
found an institution where any person can find instruction in 
any study P 

Features of the University. 

First. Every effort will he made that the education given he 
practically useful. The idea of doing a student's mind some 
vague general good by studies which do not interest him, will 
not control. The constant policy will be to give mental disci- 
pline to every student hy studies which take practical hold upon 
the tastes, aspirations and work of his life. 

Second. There is to he University liherty of choice. Several 
courses carefully arranged will be presented, and the student, 
aided by friends and instructors, can make his choice among 
them. 

When we consider that young men are constantly obliged to 
make choice unaided in regard to matters of even more difii- 



THE CORNELL UNIVERSITY. 21 

culty and danger than courses of study, it will not be thought 
so absolutely necessary that but one single course should be 
allowed, and all men of all minds forced to fit it. 

Third. There will he no Fetichism in regard to any single 
course of study. All good studies will be allowed their due 
w T orth. While the beauty and worth of ancient classics will 
not be denied, it is hoped to give the study of modern classics, 
especially those of our own language, a far more important 
place than they have hitherto held in our colleges. Special 
attention will be paid to these. 

Fourth. Historical studies and studies in Political and Social 
science will be held in high honor, and will have more atten- 
tion than is usual in our higher institutions of learning. 
Besides thorough regular courses, it is intended to present 
special courses of lectures by non-resident professors of emi- 
nence. 

Fifth. There will be no petty daily marking system, a pe- 
dantic device, which has eaten out from so many colleges all 
capacity among students to seek knowledge for knowledge's 
sake. Those professors will be sought who can stir enthusiasm, 
and who can thus cause students to do far more than under a 
perfunctory piecemeal study. 

Sixth. It enters into the plan adopted by the Board of the 
Cornell University to bring about a closer and more manly 
intercourse and sympathy between Faculty and students than 
is Usual in most of the colleges. 

Seventh. The study of Human Anatomy, Physiology and 
Hygiene, with exercises for physical training, will be most 
carefully provided for. 

Eighth. The Cornell University, as its highest aim, seeks to 
promote Christian civilization. But it cannot "be sectarian. 
Established by a general government which recognizes no dis- 
tinctions in creed, and by a citizen who holds the same view, 
it would be false to its trust were it to seek to promote any 
creed or to exclude any. 

The State of New York, in designating this institution as the 
recipient of the bounty of the general government, has also 



22 THE CORNELL UNIVERSITY. 

declared the same doctrine. By the terms of the charter, no 
trustee, professor or student can be accepted or rejected on 
account of any religious or political opinions which he may or 
may not hold. 

The success of the University of Michigan, where the Faculty 
comprises men of all religious sects and of all parties, is a suffi- 
cient refutation of those who assert that an institution of learn- 
ing must be sectarian to be successful. 

Access to the University Town. 

The Cornell University is established at Ithaca, Tompkins 
county, New York. From the south, east and west, the most 
easy access is by the New York and Erie railway, leaving that 
road at Owego and taking the cars for Ithaca. 

From the north, east and west, access is easy by the New 
York Central railroad, taking the " old road " between Roch- 
ester and Syracuse, and leaving it at Cayuga Bridge, whence 
steamboats run directly to Ithaca. 

Any additional information can be obtained of Francis M. 
Finch, Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Ithaca, New York, 
or of Andrew D. White, President of the University, Syracuse, 
New York. 



REPORT 



To give in brief the latest exhibit of the affairs of the 
University, the following report of the recent meeting of the 
Trustees is appended, as published in the Albany Evening 
Journal, of February 15th : 

The meeting of the Trustees of the Cornell University, held 
Thursday at the Agricultural Rooms, was one of the most 
gratifying since the inception of that enterprise. 

The reports presented by the various committees showed the 
most satisfactory condition of the University in every respect. 
The financial basis seems even better than the most sanguine 



THE CORNELL UNIVERSITY. 23 

have hoped. Of the buildings, one large edifice in stone is 
ready for students, and two more will be ready at the opening 
of the University in September ; giving excellent accommoda- 
tions for nearly four hundred students. 

The Jewett Cabinet in Geology, etc., is all arranged ready 
for use, and negotiations were ordered in relation to other 
scientific collections, including that of Dr. ]NTewcomb, of San 
Francisco ; which, with one or two exceptions, is the finest of 
its kind in existence. 

The report of the President showed that seven Professors 
had already been appointed, as follows : 

President — Andrew D. White, LL. D., formerly Professor 
of History in the State University of Michigan. 

Professor of Mathematics — Evan W. Evans, A. M. 

Professor of South European Languages and Associate 
Professor of History — W. C. Russell, A. M. 

Professor of Physics and Medicine — Eli W. Blake, Ph. D. 

Professor of Chemistry — James M. Crafts. 

Professor of Agricultural Chemistry — George C. Caldwell. 

Professor of Comparative Anatomy and Natural History — 
Burt G. Wilder, M. D. 

The following Professors were elected Thursday : 

Professor of Military Science — Major J. H. Whittlesey, 
United States Army. 

Professor of North European Languages and Librarian — 
Daniel W. Fiske, A.M. 

Professor of Mining and Metallurgy — J. IT. Mitchell, A. B. 

Also, the following as non-resident Professors : 

Professor of Natural History — Louis Agassiz, LL. D. 
Duties, twenty lectures each year. 

Professor of Mechanics applied to Agriculture — Governor 
Frederick Holbrook, of Vermont. Duties, twenty lectures 
each year. 

Professor of General Geology — James Hall, LL. D., State 
Geologist of New York. Duties, twenty lectures each year. 

Professor of English Literature — James Russell Lowell. 
Duties, twelve lectures each year. 



24: THE CORNELL UNIVERSITY. 

Professor of Recent Literature — George Wm. Curtis. 
Duties, tweive lectures. 

Professor of Constitutional Law — Theodore W. Dwight, 
LL. D. Duties, twelve lectures on the Constitution of the 
United States. 

All. these gentlemen, with the exception of Governor Hol- 
brook, have already entered heartily into the plan, and will be 
ready to give instruction at Ithaca during the first year, and it 
is believed that Governor Holbrook will not hesitate to accept 
this position. His election was the result of a vote taken in 
the Executive Committee of the State Agricultural Society, at 
the request of the Cornell trustees. 

It is intended to commence instruction on the third Wednes- 
day in September, with eighteen resident and about ten non- 
resident professors. 

All the leading courses, general and special, will then be 
opened, including modern course, scientific course, and classical 
course, and special courses in agriculture, mechanic arts, civil 
engineering, mining, military science, and history. 

A gift was received from President White of one thousand 
dollars to be distributed in premiums, to the most meritorious 
students in the various departments, who shall enter the first 
year. 

Another gift of three hundred dollars was received from 
another gentleman to be applied to the same purpose. 

On motion of Hon. William Kelly, President White was 
requested, during his approaching visits, to investigate the insti- 
tutions for Agricultural and Industrial Education in England, 
France and Germany, and to report at his return. Also to 
superintend purchases of books, apparatus, collections, etc. 

The plan of general military instructions presented by Major 
Whittlesey, was ably supported in its main features by Lieu- 
tenant-Governor Woodford, and adopted. 

Much satisfaction was experienced regarding the elections 
thus far for the Faculty. 

The plan of organization of the President has been carried 
out fully in this respect. That plan is "to have for the hard 



THE CORNELL UNIVERSITY. 25 

work of building up the University mainly young and active 
men — men who have a reputation to make, and who can make 
it." Great pains, have been taken to secure the most promising 
young men for this purpose, and the Committee have been 
strongly aided by Professors Agassiz, Dana, Gibbs, Chandler, 
President Alden, President Wilson, President McClintock 
and others. With one exception, every one of these young 
resident Professors have had the best instruction, both in lead- 
ing American and European institutions. 

Professor Evans, who graduated with the highest honors at 
Yale, in 1851, was afterward acting Professor of Mathematics 
at that institution, and then at Marietta College, Ohio, and in 
both of these positions he distinguished himself as a teacher 
and a writer. He is the author of a mathematical text-book in 
extensive use, and of papers in Silliman's Journal. For the 
last year he has been studying a second time in Europe. 

Professor Kussell graduated at Columbia College, N. Y., 
and won golden opinions as a Professor at Horace Mann's Col- 
lege in Ohio. He is now studying in Europe. 

Professor . Caldwell studied at the Agricultural College at 
Cirencester, England, and afterward at the University of Got- 
tingen, Germany, and is now Yice-President of the State 
Agricultural Society of Pennsylvania. 

Professor Blaee graduated at Yale, first in the classical and 
afterward in the scientific school, then studied at Heidelberg, 
Germany, four years. He has been Professor in the Uni- 
versity of Yermont, and is now acting Professor at Columbia 
College. 

Professor Craets, after graduating at the Harvard Scientific 
School, studied chemistry four years in Erance and Germany. 
Though a young man, his original investigations were published 
by the French Academy of Sciences and Silliman's Journal. 
He is now lecturing in the Cambridge Scientific School, where 
he is Assistant Professor. 

Professor Wilder is a graduate of the Lawrence Scientific 
School, and now the First Assistant of Professor Agassiz. 
Though one of the youngest of all he has distinguished himself 
4 



26 THE CORNELL UNIVERSITY. 

as a lecturer, he having delivered a course of the " Lowell Lec- 
tures" in Boston, and a course of University lectures at 
Harvard. He is the author of sundry contributions to Silli- 
man's Journal and the Atlantic Monthly. 

Professor Harris studied at the Agricultural College at 
Cirencester, England ; was afterward leading editor of the 
Genesee Farmer, and has succeeded in applying science to 
agriculture in a common-sense way and in making it pay. 

Professor Whittlesey is a graduate of West Point, Major in 
the regular army, and the estimation in which he is held is 
shown by the fact that he was appointed by General Grant 
expressly to draw up a national plan for military education to 
meet the wants of the increased army, to be presented to 
Congress. 

Professor Fiske was formerly at Hamilton College, where 
he attracted attention for his zeal in literature. He afterward 
studied at the University of Heidelberg, in German}', and 
Upsala, in Sweden. Returning to America, he contributed to 
the New American Encyclopaedia, and did other excellent 
literary work. Going abroad again, he was for a time the 
secretary and trusted friend of Motley, the historian, our min- 
ister at Yienna. Returning, he was made literary editor of 
the Syracuse Daily Journal, where he gained the respect of a 
large circle of friends. 

He is now traveling in Egypt and the Holy Land as a cor- 
respondent of several leading journals. It should be mentioned 
that while he was contributing to Appleton's Encyclopaedia he 
was assistant librarian at the Astor Library, where he gained 
the experience which induced the Cornell authorities to make 
him not merely a professor but also librarian of the University. 

Professor Mitchell is a St. Lawrence county boy, who studied 
engineering at Union College under the lamented Gillespie; 
then was an engineer upon sundry railroads, then Principal of 
the High School at Davenport, Iowa, where he organized the 
whole school system and distinguished himself as an instructor; 
thence to Harvard, where he graduated among the first in his 
class ; then into the army, where he did faithful service in the 



THE CORNELL UNIVERSITY. 27 

Topographical Engineers ; then to the Training Schools of Paris 
and Freyberg. 

It will be seen that these are "live men," and in selecting 
them the Committee have been guided by the fact, not merely 
of their energy and ability, but also of nobleness of character. 
The Committee have been mindful of the fact that a Professor 
to succeed must be not only a scholar, but a man, and a gentle- 
man, and it is believed that in the above selections such have 
been secured. 

Of the non-resident Professors it is unnecessary to speak. 
The reputations of Agassiz, Governor Holbrook, James Kus- 
sell Lowell, James Hall, George William Curtis and Theo- 
dore W. D wight, are part of American History. 

It was determined to have a joint meeting of Trustees and 
Faculty immediately after the return of President White early 
in July, and to make at that time all final arrangements neces- 
sary for commencing active instructions in September. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



029 913 123 3 



